Chapter 8: 2nd Legion (2)

After I’d bathed, Bathory offered to show me to my room. She stopped before a door, and I peeked inside, stunned.

“So? Do you like it?”

‘…Am I really a prisoner?’

The room was at least three times larger than the one Lucia and I shared. A large window offered a panoramic view, and the bed was so big it seemed meant for more than one person. It was far too luxurious for a prisoner. I glanced at Bathory, wondering if this was some kind of joke.

“Is this for real?”

“Hmm? What is?”

“…Never mind.”

Her reaction suggested it wasn’t a joke.

“Sleep well, then.”

“Wait.”

She was about to close the door when I stopped her. Something felt off.

“Hold on!”

“?”

“Aren’t you going to chain me up?”

Bathory froze, then burst into laughter.

“Ahahahaha!”

“What’s so funny?”

“I just didn’t expect you to ask that.”

Was it that funny? I’d been kidnapped, I’d woken up chained to a bed. This was a perfectly reasonable question…

“Oh.”

I realized how my question must have sounded. I hung my head.

“Well, you figured it out. Goodnight.”

She closed the door. I stared at it for a moment, a mix of awkwardness and disappointment swirling within me, then turned to survey the room.

“Nothing special, huh?”

Aside from some basic furniture, the room was bare. Even the bookshelves were empty.

“Escape is… impossible…”

Escape from the Second Legion’s headquarters, right under the Legion Commander’s nose? Not a chance. She probably knew that, which was why she hadn’t bothered to restrain me. Besides, who knew what she’d do if I was caught.

“Sigh, might as well sleep.”

I pushed those thoughts aside and lay down on the bed.

“This is surprisingly comfortable…”

Exhaustion claimed me. The luxurious bed was a stark contrast to my usual sleeping arrangements.

Snore

I drifted off to sleep.

Rustle

Sunlight streamed through the window. I sat up, frowning.

“…”

I hadn’t slept well. Or rather, the quality of sleep was excellent. I felt refreshed, physically.

The problem was the throbbing headache. I’d had a dream, but…

‘…Ar… wa…

“Ugh…!”

Only fragments remained, a voice, and a splitting headache. I clutched my head. The sound of the door opening made me look up.

“You’re awake.”

“Bathory.”

“What’s with that tone?”

I wasn’t surprised to see her. She was the only one who would come here.

“Get up and wash up. Let’s go eat.”

“…And then?”

“You know what comes next.”

Another training session. I’d asked out of a sliver of hope, but I hadn’t expected a different answer.

“Sigh…”

I dragged myself out of bed.

“Whoa!”

“Oops~”

I stumbled, lightheaded, but Bathory caught me before I fell.

“Seems like yesterday took more of a toll on you than I thought.”

“You think?”

She seemed unconcerned.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Just… still sleepy…”

The headache lingered, blurring my senses. This had never happened before. No, it’s just because I didn’t sleep well.

“Sure you don’t need help?”

“I can manage…”

I suddenly understood what a hangover felt like, even though I’d never experienced one in my past life.

“I don’t think so.”

Before I could finish, she scooped me up into a princess carry.

“Hey, what are you doing?!”

“It would take forever if you walked like that.”

“Put me down!”

“Don’t wanna.”

I struggled, but her grip was firm.

“…Are we there yet?”

“Not yet~”

I gave up, resigning myself to my fate.

“Aria?”

“…”

“Say something.”

“…”

We were in the same bath, yet Bathory kept calling out to me.

“It’s rude to ignore me, you know.”

“…Hmph.”

I sat with my back to her. I was sulking. Thirty years old, across two lifetimes, and kidnapped, yet here I was, sulking.

I’d seen her deliberately slowing down as she carried me, a smirk on her face. That wasn’t the only reason I was upset, but it definitely contributed.

‘Is it better now?’

The headache had subsided, though a faint unease remained. Not enough to hinder me in combat, though.

“Aria~”

‘My head hurts…’

The headache would have faded faster if she wasn’t constantly calling my name. I maintained my sulky silence, hoping she’d give up. There was a bit of genuine annoyance mixed in as well.

“What.”

“You weren’t answering me.”

“I answered. Happy now?”

My response was sharper than intended. I glanced at her, surprised by my own tone, but she seemed unfazed.

“Fine. I’m getting out.”

“Oh, ready now?”

She got out as soon as I said I was leaving.

I was a fool to feel even a little bit sorry for her.

We sat at the dining table. Food appeared before us.

“How’s the food?”

“It’s fine.”

Demon food wasn’t that different from human food. Despite their stronger bodies and their reliance on magic, they still needed sustenance.

But it felt… strange. Like discovering royalty ate the same food as commoners.

“How’s your body feeling?”

“If I say it hurts, will you cancel the fight?”

“Of course not. I just don’t want you dying on me.”

I hadn’t expected her to. I was already wearing combat attire.

‘I brought you some clothes. I wanted to dress you myself, but you seemed to dislike that.’

At least I hadn’t been forced into another dress-up session.

‘Hmm~ it suits you. Cute.’

…Almost.

The outfit was black with red accents, matching my eyes and hair. Comfortable and practical, clearly designed for combat. Annoyingly, it looked good on me.

The fact that I had to fight hadn’t changed, though.

‘It’ll be okay… they’re just demons… I can’t break down now. I’ll have to face this again and again.’

I didn’t realize then how naive I was.